From Staff Reports

MONTGOMERY – The 2017 Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama was named Saturday, Jan. 21, at the conclusion of the program, with Shelby County Representative Claire Kendrick receiving the title.

Named as first runner-up was Lauren Chambliss of Autauga County and second runner-up was Ada Ruth Huntley of Chilton County.

The remaining top eight finalists were: Tuscaloosa County’s Runa King, Dekalb County’s Alexis Chambers, Jefferson County’s Sherry Wu, Talladega County’s Caitlyn McTier and Houston County’s Emma Grace Benton.

Kendrick also took home preliminary awards in the talent, fitness, interview and self-expression categories and was awarded scholarships totaling $11,000.

High school senior girls from across Alabama joined together in Montgomery for the 60th Distinguished Young Women of Alabama program on Jan. 20-21 at Frazer United Methodist Church.

The girls arrived in Montgomery on Jan. 13 and stayed with host families around the Montgomery River Region.

While there, they visited various groups and community venues all while preparing for the program.

Participants competed for $42,200 in cash scholarships and more than $2 million in college granted scholarships, and the opportunity to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama for 2017.

The 48 young women were evaluated by a panel of five judges in the following categories: scholastics (25 percent), interview (25 percent), fitness (15 percent), self-expression (15 percent) and talent (20 percent).

Kendrick will advance to the national level at the 60th Distinguished Young Women National Finals in Mobile on June 29-July 1, where she will join with 49 other state representatives in competing for cash scholarships and the opportunity to represent the program as the Distinguished Young Woman of America.